Issue Date: November 14, 2004
See national parks in winter
Snow on the Grand Canyon gives a different perspective.
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For anyone put off by the summer crowds in our favorite national parks, winter is a welcome respite.
"Winter is a completely different and unique experience in Yellowstone," says Rick Hoeninghausen of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, which manages park lodging. "It's for the more adventurous traveler who wants to ride in a snow coach, or cross-country ski or snowmobile. It's all about fire and ice, when you've got snow and cold temperatures around the geysers and fumaroles." And wildlife is "easy to see against the snow cover. You can see bison, elk, coyotes, otters and bald eagles. And it's the best time of year to see timber wolves."
It's also virtually empty. Yellowstone drew 730,000 visitors this past July, but just under 23,000 in January.
Winter visitors travel by snow coach to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge or by car to the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, the only park accommodations open in winter. And starting Jan. 2 they can take advantage of such packages as the Winter Wildlife Expedition, which is led by a naturalist/guide and starts at $289 per person. It includes two nights at the hotel, some meals and the use of snowshoes.
There's no overall break on hotel prices in Yellowstone in winter, but Xanterra offers lodging deals at Zion and the Grand Canyon. "When you put snow on the Grand Canyon [above], it's a whole different perspective," says Kevin Dillman of Xanterra. Most services are still operating on the South Rim, where the mule rides run year-round.
Not all national parks consider winter off peak. It's actually high season in the Everglades and Death Valley.
Everett Potter is an award-winning travel writer who lives in Pelham, N.Y. He last wrote about mysterious airport codes.
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Head protection is key for active children
The popularity of "extreme" sporting activities is on the rise -- snowboarding, in-line skating, skateboarding, BMX cycling. Activities like those can help improve kids' balance, agility and reflexes. But each sport comes with its own set of risks: strains, sprains and fractures. Protecting the head is paramount. Failing to wear wrist guards during in-line skating can lead to a fractured arm, but not wearing a helmet can result in a concussion or worse.
Extreme sports can be challenging for participants and thrilling for spectators. Done correctly, they build self-discipline, strength and coordination. So take the appropriate precautions to make sure your budding extreme athlete doesn't wind up as a late-night "stupid people trick" spectacle!
The right helmet ...
-- Is sport-specific.
-- Attaches securely with a chin strap.
-- Fits properly.
Don't buy one your child will "grow into." A too-big helmet doesn't provide protection and can obstruct vision, making falls likely.
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Summer internships: Start looking now
Attention, students: Early birds score the best summer internships. How early? "The savviest students launch their search now," advises internship guru Mark Oldman, co-author of "The Best 109 Internships" (Princeton Review, $21). "It's a great way to telegraph your passion and enthusiasm for the internship by getting on their radar screens early." Trust him: He did six internships.
Here's how to get started:
Network. Spread the word that you're looking for an internship. Parents, family, friends and professors often have contacts that deliver far better results than a cold-call application.
Hit the Web. Visit WetFeet.com to strategize and review internship listings. Then register your résumé with Oldman's Vault.com to get e-mail notices when new opportunities match your interests. Go to idealist.org for internships at non-profits.
Apply sparingly. Target 10 to 15 opportunities. "All too often students throw out 50 or 100 generic applications and get nothing," Oldman says. So research each company, and customize a cover letter for each application.
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Load up on cranberries
Be sure to include cranberries on your holiday table. Per serving, they rank second-highest of all fruits in disease-fighting, anti-aging antioxidants. (Blueberries are No. 1.)
Chemicals in cranberries also ward off urinary tract infections by keeping bacteria from sticking to bladder cells. A recent University of Washington study showed that drinking 8 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail appeared twice as protective as 4 ounces. Researcher Kalpana Gupta, M.D., says a serving of dried cranberries or cranberry sauce may be equally effective. Note: Cranberries haven't been shown to cure infections, Gupta says; they're preventive only.
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